Fallen

Chapter 15


Her cobalt eye narrowed angrily as she continued to listen to the man in front of her speak. She was dying to jump up and slap his lordly face. Sure things were different here in the medieval times but, that fact still did not excuse the 'mightier than thou' attitude of Robin of Locksley. Frankly the guy was beginning to get on Kagome's nerves. So what if she could handle a bow better than he could? Was that really a reason to demand or rather command her not to use one in front of anyone? Kagome didn't think so. In fact Kagome thought he was being rather childish and stubborn. So what if she was a woman, what did that have to do with anything. Kagome was going to participate in the archery contest one week from now whether he liked it or not. Partly because she wanted to prove she was as good as any man because Robin Hood, was being a jerk, though mostly it had to do with the scroll and the events of three nights past...

After Kagome had stopped laughing and Sesshomaru had convinced himself that nothing had caused her brain damage, the two of them sat down and talked, really talked about many things but they avoided certain subjects that neither was ready to face, like Inuyasha, the spell and emotions. Mostly Sesshomaru asked about the future and Kagome told him as much as she could. Sesshomaru wasn't the type to go about meddling in human affairs so Kagome felt that there was no harm in sharing what she knew.

After several hours of talking Kagome finally fell asleep again, leaning her head against his left arm. She seemed comfortable and so Sesshomaru allowed it this time. He was not in the habit of any of this friendship stuff, but he imagined that he was doing a fairly good job for a novice. Not that he'd ever admit that he was a novice at anything. He promised himself.

Kagome had not been asleep for long when Sesshomaru once again caught the scent of tears. Before he could move to wake her she began to speak. Most of it was garbled but he clearly made out the name Inuyasha and the word betrayed. As he was beginning to get angry she mumbled about a kiss. Then with a sob she cried out a complete sentence “I'm so sorry Inuyasha, I didn't want to kiss you when I was thinking of him!”

Sesshomaru blinked in surprise as he let his mind wander back to the scene he'd observed between Inuyasha and Kagome. It had been clear that Inuyasha was thinking of the dead one, but had Kagome been imagining someone else too? Bringing the memory in to focus he allowed it to play again through his mind. But this time he forced his memory of the look on her face when she'd opened her eyes. Ah there it was, a split second of shock and guilt in her cobalt eyes just as they filled with tears.

Opening his eyes Sesshomaru looked over at the crying girl and softly wondered aloud, “what really happened that day Kagome? Why do you cry at night?” Sesshomaru frowned at his new discovery that the bond was stronger as he touched her. Her guilt was prominently obvious as she continued to dream but then her emotions shifted and there was longing so intense it made Sesshomaru's heart ache. Finally he could take no more and shifted her carefully to the pillow and moved away from her. Jealousy blossomed in his thoughts as he glared at the woman. “Who fills your heart Kagome?” he demanded quietly. 'I will have my answers one way or another. You belong to me.' he thought harshly.

Kagome frowned at the sudden onslaught of fury and it woke her from sleep. Why was Sesshomaru angry? “Did I say something wrong?” Kagome asked confused at the situation. One moment she'd been talking to Sesshomaru and the next she'd been reliving that day in Inuyasha's Forest. Her eyes widened in horror. Had she talked in her sleep? Had she confessed everything and he hated her for it? Maybe he thought that she was a shameless woman for kissing his brother while she thought of him. Was he disgusted by her now that he knew her dirty secret? Tears filled her eyes. “Wait I can explain. I didn't mean to do it honest”

Sesshomaru turned and looked at her his anger gone with the first scent of her fresh tears and the sad heartbroken sound of her voice. He'd once again been knocked off guard by the flood of emotions that went through her. “What are you talking about onna?” he asked finally confused by the fear and dread he felt from her.

Kagome looked at the floor as she knotted her hands in the blanket at her lap. “I talked in my sleep right? Well I can explain. I'm not sure what I said but It's true. I kissed Inuyasha while I thought of ...someone else.” Sesshomaru mentally howled “who!?” impatiently, but on the outside he waited with the mask of indifference in place. She continued to fidget.

Before either of them could form another word, a near violent pulse of energy filled the room. Sesshomaru's skin tingled as though lightning were about to strike and he looked around searching for the cause. Kagome was one step ahead of him and she bolted out of the bed and seized the glowing blue scroll. “Do you not have any sense at all?” she demanded her power flaring around her. Sesshomaru plucked the scroll from her hands. “There are other ways to get our attention.” he stated to the scroll as it pulsed lightly. Carefully he unrolled the parchment and Held it out so Kagome could see it as well.

“'Symbol of a hero, gift of the selfless'. What is that one supposed to mean?” Kagome asked as she chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. Sesshomaru re-rolled the scroll and put it back in to Kagome's pack. “Tell me the story of Robin Hood as you know it.” Sesshomaru said thoughtfully as he tried not to watch as her blunt teeth worried her bottom lip.

“Robin of Locksley was a young lord who followed King Richard to the Holy Lands in the crusades. He was captured and placed in prison where he was certain he was going to die. He escaped and returned to England. When he arrived he discovered that his Father had been murdered by the Sheriff of Nottingham and that all his lands had been forfeited to Prince John, King Richard's younger and evil brother.

Robin vowed revenge on the Sheriff and the Prince and fled to the forest. Robin had always been above average with his bow and quickly befriended the villagers who had also lost their homes. Robin of Locksley changed his name to Robin Hood and became a well known thief who stole from the rich and gave it back to the poor. He was known for his generosity and his prowess as the best archer in the land.” Kagome looked thoughtfully at Sesshomaru for a moment. “As an attempt to trap Robin Hood the Sheriff and the Prince held a regional archery tournament knowing the Robin Hood would not fail to make an appearance but just to make certain they captured his Lady love and relative to King Richard, Maid Marion and offered as a a prize a kiss from Maid Marion and a golden arrow.”

“So Robin Hood was a hero to the people for his selflessness and his symbol was an arrow?” Sesshomaru asked. Kagome nodded her eyes bright with understanding. “We need to win that golden arrow. That's got to be the arrow we need.”

Kagome felt the desire to roll her eyes again as Robin asked her if she understood. Sesshomaru bit back a growl. He really did not like the tone that the human male was taking with Kagome. Hidden in his cloak with a cowl (the cowl had been Kagome's idea to prevent a repeat of the worship that he had been forced to endure in Atlantis) covering most of his face leaving only his foreign topaz eyes visible, he seemed even less approachable and everyone gave him wide berth wherever he and Kagome went.

Robin was no exception although he seemed more curious than afraid. He looked over his shoulder now though as Sesshomaru's gaze bored in to the back of his head. The silent being had not spoken but was even more intimidating silent. Robin had been as surprised as the rest of his men when he'd seen the topaz eyes and the indigo crescent moon marking on the forehead of Lady Kagome's inhuman companion. The male, for he was certain now that the being was male, carried himself with a lordly grace and indifference the Robin could relate to. There seemed to exist a kind of understanding between himself and the silent figure but Robin was unsure of what that was or how it came to be.

Robin had no way of knowing that at that moment he was walking a dangerously thin line as he spoke to Kagome in a tone that implied that Kagome like all women was less than a man. Sesshomaru had felt that same way but Kagome had proven her worth to him and he knew she had earned the respect as a warrior that Robin was denying her. It was normally beneath him to defend anyone, verbally or otherwise but he was considering making an exception just this once.

Just before Sesshomaru spoke Robin bowed and announced that he was taking his leave and left Kagome sitting on the log fuming silently. She had not promised anything nor had she agreed to anything that Robin Hood had requested. He was a gentleman but he obviously was lacking in the 'acceptance of female warriors' department. Kagome wanted to find a bow and challenge him to a contest just to shut him up. She sighed heavily and looked back at Sesshomaru. “I think I need a walk.” she said quietly knowing he would hear her. Silently he moved to her side. “Perhaps you would like to bathe. It will calm you.” he advised softly. Kagome nodded as she allowed herself to be led away.

The river water was cold but soothing as Kagome swam in the deep pool that was somewhat secluded. Sesshomaru guarded over her as he felt her slowly relax and calm herself. He allowed himself to do the same as he considered everything that Locksley had said. Locksley did not strike him as an arrogant man and most certainly not full of himself so what was his real reason for speaking to Kagome so harshly.

Sesshomaru knew that Locksley had spoken true about the tournament being only for men but he could have informed Kagome differently. Really all that the man had done was to raise the miko's ire and with it her stubborn streak. Now the woman was going to dig her heels in and fight to prove that she had worth. All that meant though to Sesshomaru was trouble.


~*~*~*~

Robin made his way to a quiet spot in the forest where he would go to clear his mind. The long summer grass swayed in the light breeze and brought with it the light fragrance of earth and green. He sighed as he sat on a wide flat rock to think.

He did not like anything about the way he'd spoken to Kagome but at the same time he felt that it had to be done. Robin would never forgive himself if some harm befell a woman under his care and though this woman was a warrior he could not afford for word to somehow reach the ears of the Sheriff. He valued all of his men as though they were a family, albeit an odd family, a family just the same. Kagome and her companion were a part of the group now whether they knew it or not and so Robin felt that he needed to protect her as he would any of them.

Women like Kagome though were complex, to say the least. He, respected her ability and her fire, but not many others would. Kagome would be just the type of woman that the Sheriff would love to break, so no matter the cost, Robin would prevent that from happening. But he could only pray that her companion would understand. Robin was not a fool nor was he blind, Kagome's companion practically screamed dangerous. He had also radiated anger while Robin had been speaking with Kagome. He had clearly been upset by the occurrence.

Though Robin was a Catholic his nursemaid had taught him about the old ways and of the creatures of Fae, when he was a child. From the beginning Robin had been nearly certain that Kagome's silent companion was not human but he honestly had no idea what the being was. The only time Robin had ever seen eyes so wild and golden had been on a wolf. Robin was certain though that this being was far more intelligent and if the situation warranted it could speak but that also brought up the question of Kagome. Was she a human? If she was what was her connection to her companion from Fae? Why were they traveling together and where did they come from. Her origins were even more of a reason to keep her hidden. If the church discovered her she would be killed.

It was rather odd to him how protective he was of the two beings that Will had discovered in the forest only a few days ago. Even Marion had built an instant friendship with Kagome and even now she frequently asked Robin how 'the foreign princess' was. Or at least she had until Robin had received word of her capture yesterday by none other but the Sheriff and Prince John. Robin was beside himself with concern for her and feared that he may have been a bit too harsh on Kagome because of it.

Robin set his jaw as he stood, first he would apologize to Kagome and then he would set to planning how he was going to get Marion back and how he was going to keep someone like Kagome out of it...